13:50 Uttoxeter

Leg 1 Selections: Gentleman Valley, Balearic, Miss Bamby 

GENTLEMAN VALLEY has been below-form the last twice but the return to these conditions in this grade could spark a revival that is very much needed. Off a nice mark for his handicap debut, he could be thereabouts here. BALEARIC has made the frame in three of his four starts over hurdles and is of some interest now stepped up in distance. MISS BAMBY has taken a step forward from her last two appearances with two in-the-frame efforts the last twice and should be able to get involved too, in what is a tricky race for leg one. 

14:25 Uttoxeter

Leg 2 Selections: Throne Hall

A good performer on the Flat, in which he was rated as 102 last year, THRONE HALL is a fascinating hurdles debutant for the Archie Watson team. The five-year-old is undisputedly the best of these on the level and, if he can transfer that form over hurdles here, there’s every possibility he’ll have too many gears and class for these in leg two with a fluent round of jumping under Gavin Sheehan. 

15:00 Uttoxeter

Leg 3 Selections: Cremant

CREMANT has been running with credit over fences since winning at Aintree over hurdles and is well-treated off a mark of 101 here, which is two-pounds lower than that victory. He should be suited to this longer distance and has the guidance of Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle, who is a bonus. If this stiffer test of stamina does the trick, he should be too good for these in leg three. 

15:35 Uttoxeter

Leg 4 Selections: Belle Na Bann 

The Neil Mulholland-trained BELLE NA BANN made light work of her opponents eight days ago when completing a double and while she’s been hit with a hefty penalty for that success, there’s no reason why she can’t complete the hat-trick in this race. She has been suited to the drop in trip since going handicapping and given connections have retained Tom Scudamore, she should prove difficult to beat with even more to come. 

16:10 Uttoxeter

Leg 5 Selections: The Golden Rebel, Shetland Bus 

THE GOLDEN REBEL needs to be ridden aggressively from the front to be seen to best effect so hopefully Harry Bannister can do just that here. The eight-year-old is extremely well-treated at the moment and should strip fitter for his return at Bangor three weeks ago. He is only a pound higher than when bolting up Doncaster last December and must have an excellent chance on these terms. SHETLAND BUS hasn’t matched his hurdles form over fences but would have good claims if able to produce his best. 

16:45 Uttoxeter

Leg 5 Selections: Addosh, Fortunes Melody

ADDOSH is a good-quality mare and has yet to finish out of the frame in all completed starts over hurdles. She’s won three of her completed six starts and showed a sparkling turn of foot to go clear at Southwell when last spotted. A break will have done her a lot of good and, with more to offer from this lenient-looking mark, she’s fancied to score again. FORTUNES MELODY has finished runner-up in five of her last six starts and returns to hurdling off an appealing mark with a seven-pounds claimer booked to ride. I can see Harry Fry’s mare chasing home the former here.